Myelin Imaging Using 3D Dual-echo Ultra-short Echo Time MRI with Rosette k-Space Pattern

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a new 3D dual-echo rosette k-space trajectory, specifically for applications of ultra-short echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The direct imaging of the myelin bilayer, which has ultra-short transverse relaxation time (uT2), was acquired to test the performance of the proposed UTE sequence. The rosette trajectory was developed based on rotations of a ‘petal-like’ pattern in the kx-ky plane, with oscillated extensions in kz-direction for 3D coverage. The higher uT2 fraction value in white matter (WM) compared to grey matter (GM) demonstrated the ability of the proposed sequence to capture rapidly decaying signals.